Chicago White Sox: Michael Kopech could start out in the bullpen
What a difference a year makes. Or maybe we should call it two years. Michael Kopech was once one of the Chicago White Sox top prospects. This is not to say he still cannot live up to those expectations seeing he is only 24 years old, but the team has now seen Kopech go from being a key part of their starting rotation to not even being in the mix to start the 2021 season.
Kopech went down with an injury and had to have Tommy John surgery in 2019. He missed the entire 2019 season but was set to return at some point in 2020. Then COVID-19 hit and no one knew what was going to happen. The MLB season was shortened to 60 games and some players decided to opt-out. Michael Kopech was one of them.
Kopech had a rough go in 2020 as he filed for divorce in June. The marriage did not last too long, but he and his wife did bring a baby into the world. According to Kopech, becoming a father has definitely changed his perspectives on things.
"“Now I have a life that I have to look after that’s a lot more important than being selfish,” he said. “My career doesn’t just dictate my future anymore, but it dictates my son’s. That’s kind of all the motivation I need.”"
The Chicago White Sox could end up putting Michael Kopech in the bullpen
In a recent interview, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that Michael Kopech’s role is still somewhat undecided. As of right now, it appears that Kopech will be starting the 2021 season in the bullpen as opposed to being thrown into the starting rotation.
This should not be a shock to anyone. Kopech has not thrown the ball enough over the last two years and will need to build everything up. Right now, the projected starting rotation will be Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel, Lance Lynn, Dylan Cease and Carlos Rodon. That does not mean Kopech will not find a way to crack that lineup before the year’s end. One, we know injuries can happen. Two, Kopech’s ceiling is much higher than Rodon’s and honestly Cease’s too.
dark. Next. White Sox must get off to a fast start
As Chicago White Sox fans, we should be excited just to see Kopech back on the mound. The hope here is to see him build his arm back up and hopefully crack the starting rotation after the All-Star break. Either way, the starting pitching for the Chicago White Sox should not be a problem this season, but instead a positive.